Leinster Fleadh

All the students who competed in the Dublin Fleadh deserve huge congratulations. The grúpaí cheoil played extremely well, but sadly only the under 12’s and under 15’s managed to make it to the Leinster Fleadh. Hard luck to the under 18 group. This year’s Leinster Fleadh is taking place in Bagnelstown in Carlow. Information about the timetables are available below. Good luck to everyone there.

The Dublin Fleadh 2018 got off to a great start in the beautiful location of the Lexlcon Dun Laoghaire. All musicians and speakers were framed by stunning views of the harbour and pier on a beautiful evening. The event was chaired by Tristan Rosenstock, bodhran player with Teada and himself an ex-pupil of Craobh Phiarais Uí Ghreagain who spoke of his early days in the branch and learning whistle from Mairead before taking up the bodhran. Niamh Uí Chroidheáin our chairperson then opened the evening in Irish which was followed by music from ‘The Dublin Performance Group’ of young musicians from Comhaltas Branches across Dubin.

Speeches were made by Cathaoirleach Tom Murphy, Minister Josepha Madigan and Ard-Stiúrthóir Labhrás Ó Murchú but the highlight of the evening was the presentation to Moya Brennan in well-deserved recognition of the last 10 years of fund raising and morale raising concerts she has performed each Christmas in lovely Monkstown church. Moya took the unusual step of, after a few words, delighting us with a song instead of a long speech. We feel this should become a general habit!

Other musical acts of the evening were the teachers from the branch with a lively set. The strength of singing in the branch was ably demonstrated by 6 singers led by Clíona Nic Cába. Seán Grey recited a poem especially written for the occasion and the evening closed with Aisling Jarvis performing a song in English and Irish.

On Tuesday a singing session took place in the Mansion House on Dawson Street in which the Lord Mayor took part. On Wednesday a well-attended pop-up Gaeltacht was held in O’Rourke’s pub on Main Street Blackrock. The music in O’Rourke’s was provided by some ex Craobh members and really added to the atmosphere in what was a very enjoyable evening.

And this was all before the main event which took

place in St. Paul’s Secondary School Greenhills. The weekend was a testament to the hard work that had gone on in the months before and over the Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. The event ran like clockwork, and everybody from carpark attendants to those doing admission, programme selling, delivering teas and coffees, guarding doors, clerking, administration etc. were hard working, uncomplaining and above all cheerful which made for a great atmosphere. The sun shone, and 2 of our groups got through to Leinster as well as a number of individual performers. Congratulations to them all. All in all a truly memorable Fleadh.

The Dublin Fleadh is being hosted by Craobh Phiarais Uí Ghréagáín next weekend (28,29 / 4 / 18). The details of the location are available here. All the grúpaí cheoil will be participating and the timetable of the Saturday competitions is available below. It is necessary that everyone is at all the practices between now and then. We wish everyone that is competing the best of luck.

The Dublin Feis is taking place this Sunday (14/04/2018) in the Classac on Alfie Byrne Road. The under 12 and under 15 groups will be performing their sets along with many musicians performing in the solo, duet and trio competitions. We wish all competitors from our craobh Good Luck. Please see below the timetable for the Feis.